Description
Description
Vintage Zenith Swiss 8-Day Automobile Clock in Art Deco Aluminium Desk Mount
An unusual early twentieth-century Zenith 8-day mechanical automobile clock, later mounted in a distinctive swirl-finished aluminium desk stand.
Made in Switzerland, the circular clock features a warm silver-toned dial with bold black Arabic numerals, blued-steel hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at six o’clock. A coloured warning window beneath twelve o’clock indicates the remaining power reserve.
The clock is wound and set through its rotating bezel and was originally designed for installation in a motor vehicle. It has subsequently been mounted in a geometric rectangular aluminium stand, giving it the appearance and function of an Art Deco desk or table clock.
The contrast between the silver-toned aluminium mount, aged dial and brass-toned clock bezel gives the piece considerable industrial and decorative character. It would make an interesting addition to a collection of vintage clocks, early motoring accessories, Swiss horology or Art Deco mechanical objects.
Details
Maker: Zenith
Country of origin: Switzerland
Period: Early twentieth century, probably Art Deco period
Type: Automobile clock mounted for desk display
Movement: Manually wound mechanical movement
Power reserve: Approximately eight days by design
Winding and setting: Rotating bezel
Display: Analogue
Numerals: Arabic numerals
Additional displays: Subsidiary seconds and low-power-reserve warning indicator
Clock diameter including rim: 9 cm
Overall dimensions: 20 cm wide × 5 cm deep × 10.5 cm high
Weight: 578 g
Materials: Aluminium, metal and glass
Colour: Silver-toned and brass-toned metal
Markings: Zenith, 8 Days and Swiss Made printed on the dial
Condition
Vintage pre-owned condition with substantial age-related wear. The aluminium desk mount has scratches, marks, tarnishing, surface deterioration and areas of finish loss. The dial has discolouration, spotting and general wear.
The front glass is cracked and chipped along the lower edge, with small areas of glass loss, as clearly shown in the photographs. Further wear is present around the bezel and fittings.
The clock winds and runs; however, it has not been tested across its complete eight-day power reserve, and long-term accuracy is not guaranteed.
Please examine all photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
Interested in Learning More?
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About TMC Emporium
TMC Emporium offers an evolving collection of vintage, collectable and decorative items sourced throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each item is individually photographed and described, with care taken to accurately represent its condition
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